The Supreme Court on Monday categorically rejected Madhya Pradesh Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah’s apology after his controversial remarks, referring to Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who represented India’s media briefings on Operation Sindoor, as a “sister of terrorists".
The apex court ripped into the BJP minister, saying, “Where is that apology? What kind of apology have you tendered? There is some meaning of apology. Sometimes people use docile language only to wriggle out of proceeding. Sometimes they shed crocodile tears. What kind of apology is yours?"
Justice Surya Kant slammed Shah’s apology and said his “crass remarks" were made completely thoughtlessly. “You are a public figure. A seasoned politician. You should weigh your words when you speak," he said, adding that the minister was at a stage where he was about to use abusive language.
The court outrightly rejected Shah’s recent apology video, calling it an attempt to wriggle out of the consequences. “You know how people’s sentiments have been ruthlessly hurt. You should have done something. Have you watched the video?" said Justice Kant.
The bench said the remarks made by Shah should be probed by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) with three senior IPS officers, and stayed the minister’s arrest. “Let the petitioner co-operate," Justice Kant said, “The first report shall be filed and the case be taken up in the first week of vacations."
The Supreme Court said the SIT panel should include one woman officer and be headed by an IGP, while the other two members shall be of SP rank or above. The bench also said that Shah must face consequences for his remarks.
“The entire nation is ashamed of you. It is up to you how you redeem yourself. We have not directed anything," the court told Shah’s counsel, while defending the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s order of a FIR against Shah for his “sister of terrorists" remark.
